More History Could Be Made Today
With Thursday’s silver medal in the 4x200m freestyle relay, Katie Ledecky set a new record for a female US Olympian with 13 total medals. The remarkable accomplishment comes on the heels of Ledecky’s first gold of the Paris games, which she won on Wednesday in a typically dominant performance in the 1,500-meter freestyle. Ledecky set a new Olympic record while pulling away to win by over ten seconds. The 1500-meter race is a testament to Ledecky’s historic superiority. Ledecky has not lost a race at this distance in fourteen years. She has the 20 fastest times in the history of the 1,500.
Up next? Ledecky will try to win the 800-meter freestyle for the fourth straight games. Only Michael Phelps has ever won the same event four consecutive times. Ledecky first won the event as a 15-year-old at the 2012 London Games before setting a world record in 2016 (which still stands today). One more gold medal would be Ledecky’s ninth, the most by an American woman in Olympic history.
Ledecky has left the door open to compete in the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. “I’ve been consistent these last few months and these last few years in saying that I would love to compete in LA, and that hasn’t changed.” The final of the 800-meter freestyle is scheduled to start at 3:09 PM EST.
Catch up on all the latest Hobby & Sports News.
